Mexico 4, Senegal 2: Better late than never

Mexico celebrates a goal against Senegal at the Olympics(PHOTO CREDIT MEXSPORT)

Mexico defeated Senegal 4-2 in extra time at Wembley during the quarter finals of the Men’s Olympic Tournament on Saturday.

The win propels them to the semifinals of the tournament where they will face Japan.

Mexico’s attack started early in the game with a right-footed shot in the third minute by Marco Fabian that hit the post.

Jorge ‘Chaton’ Enriquez then helped Mexico take an early lead in the 10th minute. Giovani Dos Santos took a freekick for Mexico, and Enriquez managed to send it past Mane.

Senegal fought back with a shot from Konate that forced Jesus Corona in to a save in the 17th minute.

It was another save by Corona in the 25th minute that stopped a shot from Konate from going to the back of the net.

Oribe Peralta came close to adding a second just before half time. Fabian delivered a pass but Peralta’s header flew inches wide of the goal.

Mexico doubled their lead in the 62nd minute with a goal from Javier Aquino. After an initial save from Mane, Aquino managed to collect the ball and blasted it to the back of the net for the 2-0 lead.

But Senegal attempted a comeback. Minutes later Senegal cut the lead in half. Konate managed to shake off his mark and a header proved to be enough to defeat Corona for the 2-1 score in the 68th minute.

Minutes later Senegal equalized. Souares took a corner and Balde won the header to send it past the goal line in the 75th minute.

Mexico had a close opportunity at the close of the 90 minutes, but a header by Peralta flew over the crossbar and sent the two sides to extra periods.

The Mexican side began firing at the opponents forcing saves the from the opposition goalkeeper. It was Dos Santos in the 98th minute that gave Mexico the lead. A mistake by the Senegal defense easily gave Dos Santos the ball, and all the Mexican had to was slide it to the back of the net for the 3-2 lead.

Corona saved Mexico in the 102nd minute, when Sadio Mane forced him into a save to keep Senegal from an equalizer.

Hector Herrera sealed the win for Mexico in the 109th minute. Raul Jimenez attempted a shot that Mane managed to diverge, but it was left for Herrera to surge forward and head to the back of the net for the 4-2 score.

Senegal attempted to continue their attacks but it wasn’t enough to keep Mexico from advancing to the semifinals.